CONSTANTINA: "The 2-week Business Workshop was intense, interactive and exciting"

Lifelong Learning - Make-Up and more!

Coming to the UK for the Youth Talent to the Market program has been one of the wisest decisions I have ever made in my whole life. It has been such a rich and wonderful experience and has exceeded all my expectations regarding both enterprise and creative knowledge and skills acquired.The 2-week Business Workshop was intense, interactive and exciting, as it guided us through learning how to think as entrepreneurs and how to craft our own way into bringing our creativity to the market.My work placement at The Central School of Make-Up, in Birmingham, was The Best I could have ever asked for! Laura and Chris have taught me so many things in regards to the spirit and mind you need to have in your business in order to make it successful. Moreover, I had the luck to assist and attend the make-up classes, taught by top make-up artists in the industry, which were beneficial both in a creative way, as it took my knowledge on the art of Make-Up even further, as well as in a business way, as the expertise teaching included the ways in which you can establish a successful make-up career, giving a great insight into how the industry works.This experience has been a highlight in my learning. The people, the tutors, managers, make-up artists and the new friends I made are all amazing and I am truly grateful for having been given this opportunity.

JOE: "I thought it was too good to be true, and I've never been so happy to be proven so wrong"

"When I first heard of Gecko Programmes and the Erasmus+ UKprogramme, I thought it was too good to be true, and I've never been so happy to be proven so wrong. The organisations, both at home and in our host country (CEDIT) have been fantastic, and I have loved every minute of my time in Florence. The Youth Talent To Market 2 week course was incredibly helpful and holistic in its content, and has really expanded my knowledge and confidence of how best to market myself as a creative. As for my work placements, I have been working with a variety of fascinating and stimulating companies that have allowed me to not only see and do a lot of incredibly interesting things, but have also given me the opportunity to expand on my knowledge and skill base, and gain substantial and invaluable experience in my chosen fields. Cannot recommend the programme highly enough."

Hannah: "an opportunity to improve and develop ourselves to take all these talents to the market professionally."

​"I knew about the Gecko programmes because we have had the pleasure of working with quite a number of Interns that Gecko Programmes send us, and they have always be very receptive, eager to get stuck in and very competent young individuals. When I then heard they were offering placements for 'Youth Talent to Market', I knew I needed to apply. I wasn't sure what to expect because obviously its a new program and I had never travelled with a large group before, but I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The course leaders were very proficient and knowledgeable and I really felt I was given a focused spaced to clarify what needed to be developed within the Arts Company I work with. Everyone was extremely supportive and organised and I really felt apart of something valuable and very well looked after. The group of Artists I met were lovely, enthusiastic testaments to the skill , determination and individuality there is within the West Midlands Creative Arts scene and how vital the work does is, providing us with such an opportunity to improve and develop ourselves to take all these talents to the market professionally. I learnt a lot of valuable skills, living somewhere new gave me great insight and new perspective which I can take back with me into my work and I will not only be applying myself again to more programs , but I fully encourage others to do so."

​REBECCA: "a wonderful opportunity for you to meet with other like minded creatives and share ideas"

"I would highly recommend the Erasmus+ programme to creatives looking to expand their skill set, network and experience a new culture. I always thought that Erasmus programmes were only for university students but with the new funding from the Erasmus+ UK is available to 18-30 year old creatives and entrepreneurs. The Youth talent to market is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet with other like minded creatives and share ideas. I am only halfway through the programme and have already learned so much from the two week business course about how to bring my product to market and run a successful enterprise. I am now settling into a six week work placement with a jewellers right next to the Ponte Vecchio in Florence and learning so many new skills and getting to know the local artisans. Everyone in the organisations Gecko Programmes and their Italian counterparts CEDIT have been so helpful and informative. They have found us work placements in companies that suit our interests and are helping us to develop our creative skills. I couldn't believe an opportunity like this could be completely funded! The cost of the flights, travel and accommodation is all paid for and you even get a living allowance while you are here so if you are looking to have an adventure and further your development as a creative you should apply now!"

serena: "RICH EXPERIENCE"

"My placement at Manoli"s studio is priceless! Rich experience in which I"m learning a lot of things about traditional Bizantyne icons! Thank you Youth Talent to Market for this opportunity!"

margherita: "It's an experience that I strongly recommend to any creative who wants to test herself/himself"

​"The opportunity to take part in the Youth Talent to Market project was for me absolutely something not to be missed! In fact as an architect/designer, being able to do an internship abroad without having any problems about the housing and costs in general is very difficult. It goes without saying that the availability I've found was exceptional, both from LCYouth guys for the 2 weeks workshop and from my boss Georgios Nikolaou at the studio for the internship. It's an experience that I strongly recommend to any creative who wants to test herself/himself in a professional and creative environment different from the one in which she/he was born, grown up and has studied".

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Wolverhampton

Italy

Cyprus

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This website reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.